Since He Left Me || HoO + PJO✔️

Chapter 21

Piper's cocktail party outfit above!

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"You look amazing!" Reyna shrieked as I walked out with my outfit.

"Do I?" I asked. "I usually look gross in black!"

"No!" Reyna exclaimed. "You look beautiful!"

Reyna was wearing a dark blue dress similar to mine. Her nails were a light shade of purple and she had gold ear rings on.

"If you say so," I said as I sat down to do my nails, which I was going to colour them a dark red. My mind drifted, bouncing from thought to thought.

"Do you ever wondered what would happen if we weren't demigods?" Reyna's voice cut through my thinking.

"Actually, I do," I responded finishing my last nail with a flourish. "I would still be dubbed as Tristan McLean's daughter and... Jane would still be my Dad's assistant, which was honestly the worst." I shuddered thinking of Jane.

Reyna laughed. "That's quite a story." She was about to speak again when my doorbell rang.

"It's probably Max coming to pick us up. Let's go." I grabbed a pair of heels and my black purse before coming down the stairs, Reyna right behind me.

Max, who was standing in the lobby opened the main door. "After you," He said.

I grinned at him before going out and getting into the limo. Reyna slid in beside me. "So... alcohol?" 

I shook my head. "Nope. Not happening."

"Understood." Reyna nodded and saluted.

I laughed, "Let's get this show on the road."

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We entered the sophisticated hotel, the smell of wine pouring into my nose. 

"Gods," Reyna breathed out beside me. " I didn't know it was this fancy!"

I chuckled, "Me neither."

"I'm gonna grab food. See you later?" Reyna asked.

I smiled. "You know it,"

Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around my waist. "And who is this young lady in black?" Tyler's voice lit up a smile on my face.

I turned in his arms before tapping his nose. "Your death wish," I said, slyly.

Tyler's eyebrows lifted. "Is that so?" He asked, twirling me around to the music playing around in the room.

"I'm afraid it is," I replied.

"Well, I guess it'll be the best death wish ever," Tyler replied back with a grin.

"God," I groaned "You're so cheesy!" I whined.

Tyler laughed. "You love it." He said, cheekily.

Out of nowhere, a finger tapped my shoulder. It was Hazel.

"Um... can we talk for a minute?" She played with the hem of her gold dress.

I didn't reply. I just stood there looking like an idiot. "Can I have a minute?" I quickly asked Tyler.

He smiled, "Of course."

I laughed, nervously. "You're the best."

He grinned, "I know," He said before striding out.

I took a deep breath before turning back to Hazel. "There is nothing to talk about," I said through my gritted teeth.

Hazel looked impatient before dragging me into a whole different room before she shut the doors.

"Look-" I began.

"Piper-" Hazel said.

I kept on ranting. "I know what you're trying to tell me-"

"Piper, please-" Hazel begged.

"But I'm not gonna listen," I said, finally.

Behind me, I heard a familiar whistle. "That was a good argument." It was Leo. I cringed inwardly as I turned to face him. 

"All of you guys are here?" I asked, afraid of the answer.

Leo nodded, "And surprisingly, even Nico."

"Hey! That was rude!" I heard Nico complain behind him.

I took a deep breath, rooting myself into the carpeted floors. "Look I just need some time-"

"Piper." Damn it. It was him again, his words making my heart freeze.

Jason suddenly was standing in front of me. "Piper." He breathed out again.

I shook my head. "I know what you're going to say..." Tears sprung into my eyes. "I know I made a mistake and I'm so sorry but I just need more time!" I said, my voice thick.

Jason studied me with his electric blue eyes beneath his red glasses. I looked right back, staring at the blue eyes that once had me swooning.

"You really thought I came here just to listen to you apologize?" Jason asked.

I did a double take. "I mean-" I stumbled, trying to find the correct words.

"He came here to fix things," Annabeth's voice rung behind Jason.

"Fix what?" I spat out. "To come back to camp? Because you know that will never happen."

"Well, we wanted to try," Percy said, putting himself beside Annabeth.

I shook my head, laughing. "It's not going to happen."

"Why?" Jason asked. "Why won't you come back?'

"B-Because-" I tried to make a response.

"Because what, Piper?" Jason demanded. "Is it because of me?"

"No. It's-" I couldn't hide it. A part of it was because of Jason.

Jason nodded slowly. "It's because of me."

"No. It's because I don't want my heart to be broken again," I whispered, my heart clenching.

"Fine. Jason doesn't have to beg." Leo walked towards me until he stood a few centimetres away from me. "I haven't done anything to you. So, please. Come back to camp with us." He held out his hand.

I stared down. My heart desperately wanting to take hold but my mind holding me back. I looked back at Leo's eyes. In there, I could still see pieces of our trio. From the day Jason woke up on the school bus, to the day we defeated Gaea, to where we were now. It was just the pieces were scattered... too lost to be glued back together again. It all started with Valdez, Beauty Queen, and Sparky.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, as I took a step away from Leo's hand. "I can't."

"When?" Hazel stepped right beside Leo, tears rolling down her face. "When will you stop pushing us away?"

A single tear rolled down my cheek. "Until one day, I push you away far enough, that you'll stay away from me."

I turned around and walked out of the room, letting the click of my heels against the marble floors sink into their hearts.

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GODS. This chapter was probably the hardest to write. It was, believe it or not, hard for me to make Piper push them away AGAIN. UGH. AND I'M the AUTHOR! 

Well, I hope y'all enjoyed it because it was fun AND agonizing to write this!

See you next time Wattpadians!

XOXO,

Sophia